Customs and Finance Departments to File Criminal Charges Against 11 Freight Forwarders
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Finance (DOF) are set to file criminal charges against 11 freight forwarding firms allegedly involved in the abandonment of thousands of balikbayan boxes. This action comes as authorities near completion of deliveries in Cebu, with most shipments already returned to recipients.
Details of the Charges and Investigation
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno announced that the cases, to be filed next week, are being prepared in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation. The charges include large-scale estafa and cybercrime violations. The firms allegedly collected approximately P330 million from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) but failed to deliver their shipments, leaving boxes unprocessed and abandoned in ports.
Nepomuceno added that the government is also pursuing action against foreign-based partners of these firms through diplomatic channels. Finance Secretary Frederick Go emphasized that this case will serve as a warning to other freight forwarding companies to avoid similar fraudulent practices.
Progress in Box Deliveries and Government Intervention
The crackdown coincides with the government's accelerated efforts to release undelivered boxes at the Port of Cebu. As of now, 13,842 out of 14,279 shipments have been returned to recipients, with around 498 boxes scheduled for distribution by the end of March. On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at least 30 Cebu-based families received their long-delayed packages during a ceremonial turnover led by Finance Secretary Frederick Go and Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno at the Cebu Ports Authority Sports Complex.
Authorities explained that the abandoned shipments resulted from a scheme where foreign-based consolidators lured OFWs with unusually low shipping rates but failed to settle port, shipping, and customs charges upon arrival in the Philippines. This left thousands of fully paid boxes abandoned, depriving families of their expected packages.
Go stated that the government intervened to ensure these packages, often containing goods and gifts for families, reach their intended recipients. The Office of the President has shouldered the cost of door-to-door delivery, with logistical support from L98 Brokerage and Logistics Inc.
Warnings and Preventive Measures
Go warned the public, saying, "If it's too cheap, it could already be a scam. Don't be fooled—don't let yourself get scammed." He affirmed that the Bureau of Customs, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Migrant Workers continue to work together to ensure these boxes are returned, vowing not to allow OFWs to be deceived.
Nepomuceno noted that the BOC has published on its official website a list of accredited freight forwarders, as well as 11 firms flagged for alleged involvement in the scheme, including Makati Express Cargo Inc., which the public is urged to avoid. The permits of these companies have been suspended.
Tighter Regulations and Future Safeguards
BOC Director Venus Emperado announced that the agency will impose stricter accreditation requirements, including mandatory performance bonds for freight forwarders. This measure aims to prevent "fly-by-night" operators and ensure companies remain financially accountable if shipments are not delivered.
Emperado, a former OFW who worked in Singapore for 14 years, emphasized the emotional significance of these shipments, stating, "This is not just a box… it carries the life and love of OFWs for their families." She added that the government should no longer bear the burden of failed deliveries caused by erring companies, highlighting the need for stronger regulations to protect consumers and uphold accountability in the industry.
